Crows coach Brenton Sanderson said the hope of Walker – who ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in round five last year – returning early this season seemed unlikely.
Sanderson also said Walker's injury resembled that of someone who had been involved in a "car crash".
"It could be anywhere between rounds five and 15 and that's serious," Sanderson told AFL.com.au.
"He'll play when he's ready."
That could be via the SANFL, with Walker saying in January his preference is to return to the AFL through the Crows' reserves team.
He has joined in most training drills at training, practising his leading patterns and bodywork in marking contests against teammates.
The 23-year-old required a reconstruction after severely hyperextending his knee, resulting in lateral ligament damage, as well as significant bone bruising.
"This wasn't your typical ACL injury – this was more like a car crash," Sanderson said.
Walker sees light at end of the tunnel
Despite revising earlier expectations on a specific return date for Walker – round one was talked about as a possibility – Sanderson was upbeat about how the key forward had approached his rehabilitation.
"'Tex' has been absolutely flying, he hasn't put a foot wrong and his recovery processes have been meticulous," Sanderson said.
"It's a real credit to him, how he's prepared himself to get back.
"We'll have our fingers crossed in those first few games that he comes back … and (when he does) he'll certainly have an immediate impact for us."
Walker kicked 63 goals from 19 games in 2012 at an average of 3.3 a game. He managed 10 goals in five games (an average of two a game) before the injury.
Until Walker returns, the Crows will look to free agent acquisitions Eddie Betts (27 goals for Carlton in 2013) and James Podsiadly (33 for Geelong) to carry the bulk of the scoring load.
Inexperienced tall trio Josh Jenkins, Shaun McKernan and Lewis Johnston will also be relied upon, along with last year's leading goalkicker Tom Lynch (33).
Sanderson also expects midfielders Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane, Scott Thompson and Richard Douglas to spend some time in attack.
"It looks like we've got some depth in our forward line this year," Sanderson said.
"And we've got some really exciting young guys who have still got plenty of room for improvement left in them."
Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie
Despite revising earlier expectations on a specific return date for Walker – round one was talked about as a possibility – Sanderson was upbeat about how the key forward had approached his rehabilitation.
"'Tex' has been absolutely flying, he hasn't put a foot wrong and his recovery processes have been meticulous," Sanderson said.
"It's a real credit to him, how he's prepared himself to get back.
"We'll have our fingers crossed in those first few games that he comes back … and (when he does) he'll certainly have an immediate impact for us."
Walker kicked 63 goals from 19 games in 2012 at an average of 3.3 a game. He managed 10 goals in five games (an average of two a game) before the injury.
Until Walker returns, the Crows will look to free agent acquisitions Eddie Betts (27 goals for Carlton in 2013) and James Podsiadly (33 for Geelong) to carry the bulk of the scoring load.
Inexperienced tall trio Josh Jenkins, Shaun McKernan and Lewis Johnston will also be relied upon, along with last year's leading goalkicker Tom Lynch (33).
Sanderson also expects midfielders Patrick Dangerfield, Rory Sloane, Scott Thompson and Richard Douglas to spend some time in attack.
"It looks like we've got some depth in our forward line this year," Sanderson said.
"And we've got some really exciting young guys who have still got plenty of room for improvement left in them."
Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie
